jeudi, mars 24, 2011

"I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being to prove that we are a human race. To prove that our love outweighs our need to hate. That our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame. That our sensitivity to those in need is stronger than our greed. That our ability to reason overcomes our fear. And that at the end of each of our lives, we can look back and be proud that we have treated others with the kindness, dignity and respect that every human being deserves." - Elizabeth Taylor, in her 1993 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award honorary Oscar acceptance speech.

mercredi, mars 16, 2011

Cancer, I've found, is a passport to intimacy. It is an invitation, maybe even a mandate, to enter the most vital arenas of human life, the most sensitive and the most frightening, the ones that we never want to go to but when we do go there, we feel incredibly transformed. -- Bruce Feiler, author, father, and cancer survivor.

mardi, mars 08, 2011

The herbes de Provence made for a delicate, slightly sweet soup that knocked our socks off. I was concerned that the kale would make the soup bitter, but removing the stalks also removes the bitterness. We topped this with fresh grated parmesan cheese and oyster crackers.

PreparationHeat oil in large pot over high heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients; sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to soften and brown, 10 to 11 minutes. Stir in lentils and herbes de Provence. Add broth and kale. Bring to boil, stirring to incorporate kale. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid slightly ajar, and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add more broth to thin, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 8.